GSMNP

[Taxman]

Headed up Backcountry around Bryson City early next week. Any tips on
flies or nymphs for early November?

Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[NCHillbilly]

A warm sleeping bag. It snowed last night.

 

[NCHillbilly]

The usual run of nymphs. Try a streamer, too. Browns are spawning. Orange Palmer and small BWOs for dries would be a place to start.

 

[Taxman]

Lol)).

 

[splatek]

I echo what hillbilly said: don't forget a bugger or two. Dredge them deep and who knows what you'll find up those small streams. With the rain (and apparently snow) that came thru, the creeks prob rose a little, enough for some of the big breeders to make it up some smaller feeders.... good luck. And regardless of fish catching, GSMNP is just such a great place you can't have a bad time.

 

[Taxman]

Just got back from my backcountry camping trip. I caught about
10 or 12 8" Rainbows on Wednesday and a couple Tuesday
evening after setting up camp. I headed out Thursday ahead
of the rain and caught 4 or 5 on the way down. I used a variety
of nymphs with bright surveyor nymph the most successful.
Something with pink. I think I only caught 2 browns the whole
trip. Water was crystal clear and I wasn't very successful trying
to sneak up and catch fish in the pools.


I used my Patagonia UL waders and they were great. I also
used a Patagonia Stormfront hip pack. I switched from my
sling pack to alleviate some upper back pain. I also forgot
to wear a shirt with upper pockets and that was PIA.

Thank you all for the advice as always.

 

[Backcountry]

Sounds like a great trip

 

[JonathanG2013]

Glad you had a good trip. I have the Patagonia UL Waders also. Easy to pack up and work well. Still have yet to fish up there. Sounds like each time you go that you have a great time camping and fishing.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Sounds like a good time. Good time to get out of there, too. Supposed to be low 20s tonight, teens first of the week.

 

[Bream Pole]

My kind of camping weather, NCHB!! I haven't in several years because of hip problem and neurothopy in feet and legs, but me and my backing tent and 0 degree down bag and some good thermal wear had some good times in the mountains in below 20's weather.

 

[Taxman]

Below 20 feels colder now than it did back in those days!!!! Global warming)))

 

[Bream Pole]

probably not just age for me. I've lost about 40-50 lbs and feel cold more than I used to.

 

[NCHillbilly]

My kind of camping weather, NCHB!! I haven't in several years because of hip problem and neurothopy in feet and legs, but me and my backing tent and 0 degree down bag and some good thermal wear had some good times in the mountains in below 20's weather.

I used to do it back in the day, but I just find it miserable nowadays. My 0 bag is warm, but you gotta get out of it sometime. I don't care for having to melt water to make coffee, either.

 

[splatek]

Maybe I am still so new to this outdoors life that for me the adventure still keeps me at it. Although getting out of that 0 bag to pee sucks, for sure!

 

[Taxman]

The toughest thing for me in the NC mtns. Is all the wet firewood. If I can build
a quick and easy fire when I first wake up I am usually good until I start moving around. That and I have to fine tune my winter fly fishing techniques.

 

[NCHillbilly]

12* tomorrow night with 2"-3" of snow and 40 mph wind gusts. Sounds like fun to me.

 

[Backcountry]

12* tomorrow night with 2"-3" of snow and 40 mph wind gusts. Sounds like fun to me.

That's just brutal. I'd have to pass on that camping trip.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Mt. Sterling weather station in the park says 18* right now.